Proteus vulgaris

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Proteus vulgaris

Classification

Higher order taxa

Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Proteobacteria
Class: Gamma Proteobacteria
Order: Enterobacteriales
Family: Enterobacteriaceae

Species

P. vulgairs

Description and significance

P. vulgaris is rod-shaped gram-negative chemoheterotroph. It inhabits in gastrointestinal tracts of animal, soil, polluted water, raw meat, and dust.
P.vulgaris is considered to be pathogenic bacteria. In human, it can cause urinary tract infections, wound infections, and is a common cause of sinus and respiratory infections.

Proteus can be isolated from a sample of soil. Organism is inoculated in a nutrient agar to form colonies. To test the gram-negative and oxidase-negative characteristics of Enterobacteriaceae, gram stains and the oxidase test are performed. The colonies of interest are then inoculated onto a selective and differential medium-McConkey agar. McConkey agar is suitable for Proteus for two reasons. First reason is that the bile salt constituent allows the growth of Proteus, which is a part of the intestinal flora, while selectively inhibits organisms that are not suitable to grow in interstinal environments. Second reason is that McConkey agar can differentiate the non lactose-fermenting characteristic of Proteus from the lactose-fermenting organisms. Since Proteus is an anaerobic organism, the plate agar can be incubated in an anaerobic jar.[1]


Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.

Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=genome&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=16389

Cell structure and metabolism

Proteus species possess an extracytoplasmic outer membrane, a feature shared with other gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the outer membrane contains a lipid bilayer, lipoproteins, polysaccharides, and lipopolysaccharides.



Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.


Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

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